Magnesium May Be The Most Important Nutrient Needed For Heart Health

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Posted on Mar 12, 2019, 8 p.m.

Magnesium may be one of the most vital nutrients the body needs that supports cardiovascular health, which makes it worrisome that close to half of Americans are deficient when it comes to daily doses of the nutrient.

Without enough magnesium in the body you can become more prone to various disorders and diseases, blood pressure can go out of control, there is a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, higher risk of colon cancer, and higher risk for suffering a heart attack. Low levels of magnesium have been linked to insulin resistance as well, when insulin stops working effectively blood glucose levels go out of control, leading to type 2 diabetes.

Studies published by The Medical University of South Carolina have revealed a connection between magnesium deficiency and C-reactive protein, which is produced by the liver. CRP was been found to trigger acute inflammations which is a serious risk for heart disease.

The first study in 2005 drew on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study which has gathered health records since 1959 of Americans. Diets were examined from 1999-2000 of subjects aged 17+ who did not take magnesium supplements. 68% of the subjects did not get enough magnesium daily; 19% did not even get half of the daily requirements. Those who were magnesium deficient were more likely to have high levels of CRP in their bloods. Risk rate varied from 48% to 75% when compared to those who were not deficient. Those who did not get at least half of the daily requirements proved to be more than twice as likely to suffer from high CRP levels.

The second study evaluated CRP in adults who were taking magnesium supplements daily, drawing on subjects from within the same survey and timeframe. Of the 10,024 subjects a quarter of them took various doses daily starting at 50 mg and increasing. Results of this study reflected those of the first study, and it did not matter if subjects got magnesium from food or supplements. Those who failed to get at least 310 mg daily of magnesium were 40% more likely to suffer from high CRP levels. Supplementation seemed to provide a measure of protection as 22% of the supplement takers did not reach total daily requirements but were less prone to high levels of CRP compared to those who didn’t take any supplements.

How much magnesium is enough varies depending on gender, age, and lifestyle of the individual person. A man less than 30 may need 400 mg daily, while a woman under 30 may only need 310 mg. Older men may need 420 mg of magnesium a day, and older women may need to be getting 320 mg of magnesium a day. Talk to a medical professional and they can help you to determine what is best for you.